Static vehicle tire puncturing and deflating assembly

ABSTRACT

A compact vehicle tire puncturing and deflating assembly for use by law enforcement personnel in preventing high-speed chases comprising a base having a first end and a second end a spike holder attached to the first end of the base, the spike holder being permitted to rotate from a first closed position generally parallel to the base and a second tire puncturing position at an acute angle to the base; and a plurality of spikes attached to the spike holder.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to devices that are used by lawenforcement agencies and others for intentionally puncturing the rubbertires of a motor vehicle. More particularly, this invention relates toan assembly that can be placed in front of or in back of one or moretires of a stationary vehicle for the purpose of deploying one or morespikes from the assembly in the event the vehicle is moved. It alsorelates to a vehicle tire puncturing and deflating spike assembly thatis compact, that protects the spikes and the person carrying them duringstorage and otherwise, and that is quickly and easily used in the field.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that it is occasionally necessary for law enforcementagencies to impede and stop the movement of a speeding motor vehicle.One method of accomplishing this is by the strategic placement of one ormore tire-deflating mechanisms in the path, or the anticipated path, ofthe moving vehicle to impede and stop its movement. Such portabletire-deflating mechanisms often take the form of strips of material thatcan be set down on a roadway, the strips including some sort ofpuncturing device attached to it. One such mechanism, invented by thisinventor, is formed with a “scissors-like” base having a plurality oftire-puncturing spikes, each of which is removably held within the base.That mechanism, including the detail of the tire-deflating spikes thatare used with it, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,961 and U.S. Pat.No. 6,312,189 issued to this inventor, respectively.

In the experience of this inventor, there is another scenario where atire-puncturing spike and retainer assembly can be effectively used.That is where a high speed chase is prevented in the first instance byplacing a tire-puncturing spike and retainer assembly in front of or inback of one or more tires of a stationary vehicle prior to the driverhaving an opportunity to speed away. Such use would be considered bythis inventor to be a “static” situation. Static situations may includethose where a law enforcement officer has temporarily stopped a vehiclefor some traffic violation or other reason, where a check-point is beingused while the vehicle is at rest and a check-point attendant isperforming some sort of security check of the vehicle or of its driver,or where a vehicle is the subject of a law enforcement “stake-out” whereit is necessary to prevent the vehicle from moving or being used as a“get-away” vehicle. There are many other applications for such a deviceand the list provided here is not intended to be all inclusive orlimiting in any way.

Although the tire-puncturing spike and retainer assembly described inthe patents referred to above could be used for such “static”applications, such use would be cumbersome and inconvenient.Additionally, where stealth is required such that a potential driver ofthe vehicle is unaware that an assembly of that sort has been placedabout the tires of the vehicle, the assembly should assume a smaller andless conspicuous assembly to remain undetected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a unitary, molded combination baseand protective case comprised of a base, the base having a hingedconnection to a spike base holding a plurality of spikes at one end andat the other having a hinged connection to a cover. In a preferredembodiment, the spike base is permitted to move between two positions, afirst “open” position wherein the spike base is locked into its uprightposition and a second “closed” position wherein the spikes and spikebase are folded downwardly against the base. Similarly, in a preferredembodiment, a cover is provided, the cover being operable to fold overthe spikes when the spikes and spike base are folded downwardly towardsthe base. When properly positioned, maintenance of the vehicle in astationary condition will not damage or harm the vehicle tires in anyway. Upon movement of the vehicle tire, in either the forward orrearward direction, will result in the vehicle tire being pierced by oneor more of the tire-puncturing and deflating spikes, thereby resultingin deflation of the tire and inoperability of the vehicle.

The foregoing and other features of the tire-puncturing spike andretainer assembly constructed in accordance with this invention will beapparent from the detailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a is a top, plan view of a preferred embodiment of the staticstop assembly and showing the assembly in the “open” position.

FIG. 1 b is a top, left and front perspective view of the static stopassembly and showing the assembly in the “open” position.

FIG. 1 c is a rear elevational view of the static stop assembly andshowing the assembly in the “open” position.

FIG. 1 d is a side cross-sectioned view of the static stop assemblytaken along Line B-B in FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 2 a is a rear elevational view of the static stop assembly andshowing the assembly in the folded or “closed” position.

FIG. 2 b is a top and side perspective view of the folded static stopassembly and showing the assembly in the “open” position.

FIG. 2 c is a side cross-sectioned elevational view of the folded staticstop taken along Line A-A of FIG. 2 d.

FIG. 2 d is a top plan view of the folded static stop assembly andshowing the assembly in the “open” position.

FIG. 2 e is a second cross-sectioned elevational view of the foldedstatic stop.

FIG. 2 f is a top plan view of the spike base.

FIG. 3 a is a top plan view of the cover of the assembly and showing theassembly in the “open” position.

FIG. 3 b is a top and side perspective view of the cover.

FIG. 3 c is a side elevational view of the cover.

FIG. 4 a is a top plan view of the spike holder of the assembly andshowing the assembly in the “open” position.

FIG. 4 b is a rear side and front view of the spike holder.

FIG. 4 c is a back elevational view of the spike holder.

FIG. 4 d is a side elevational view of the spike holder.

FIG. 4 e is a rear cross-sectioned elevational view of the spike holder.

FIG. 4 f is a bottom plan view of the spike holder.

FIG. 5 a is a rear elevational view of the base of the static stopassembly and showing the assembly in the “open” position.

FIG. 5 b is a top, front and right side perspective view of the base.

FIG. 5 c is a top plan view of the base.

FIG. 5 d is a side elevational view of the base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numbered elementsrefer to like elements as well, FIG. 1 illustrates a preferredembodiment of the static tire-puncturing and deflating spike retainingassembly, generally identified 1, that is constructed in accordance withthe present invention.

The static stop assembly 1 is comprised of a plurality of spikes 10, thespikes 10 being retained within a base 40 by a retaining pin 30. When inuse, the spikes 10 are directed generally perpendicularly upwardly fromthe base 40. When stored, the spikes 10 fold under a cover 60.

In more detail, the puncturing and deflating spike 10 of the presentinvention includes an upwardly extending plurality of spike blades 15.Extending from the spike base 11, the spike blades 15 come together andculminate in a spike point 17. The spike point 17 serves as the initialportion of the spike 10 that contacts and pierces the tires of a motorvehicle traveling over the assembly 1. Each of the spike blades 15 ofthe spike 10 has a razor sharp blade edge 16 which helps slice throughthe rubber tire and through the steel bands contained within it as theweight of the vehicle bears upon the spike 10. Situated between each ofthe spike blades 15 is a longitudinally extending spike groove 18. Eachspike groove 18 extends along the length of the spike 10, beginning justbelow the point 17 of the spike 10 and ending just above the spike base11.

The tire spike 10 of the present invention includes a spike base void 12(not currently shown) in the spike base 11. The spike base void 12, inactuality, extends up and into the spike 10 and terminates at a pointwhere the spike base void 12 meets, or intersects, the spike grooves 18which run along the exterior of the spike 10. In this fashion, the spike10 of the present invention creates an air flow continuum which beginsjust below the point 17 of the spike 10, runs along the number of spikegrooves 18 and terminates in a like number of openings 13 to the spikebase void 12. It is this feature of the spike 10 of the presentinvention which aids in the tire deflating function of the spike 10,even when used to pierce today's anti-leak tires. It should also bementioned that the placement of the spike openings 13 in the spike 10 issuch that strength of the uppermost portion of the spike 10 is maximizedwhereby the possibility of the air flow along the spike 10 beinginterrupted because of a collapsed spike 10, or a portion of it, isminimized. The spikes 10 also have a pair of aligned pin apertures 19(not currently shown) on opposite sides of the spike base void 12 and analigning notch 14, the purpose of which will be more apparent later inthis detailed description.

The base 40 has a bottom 41 having a first end 42 and a second end 43and two identical sides 46 rising generally upwardly therefrom. Thesides 46 of the base 40 are attached to the bottom 41 of the base 40 andare reinforced by a plurality of trusses 49 between the base 40 and thesides 46 of the base 40. The sides 46 of the base 40 have a smallaperture 47 and a larger aperture 48, the purpose of which will becomemore apparent later in this detailed description.

The second end 43 of the base 40 includes a pair of gussets 45 in thebottom of the base that create a flap 51 capable of flexing slightlywith respect to the bottom 41 of the base 40. The flap 51 also containsa pair of rectangular ridges 54, the purpose of which will also becomemore apparent later in this detailed description.

The tire puncturing device 1 further includes spike holder 20. The spikeholder 20 contains a plurality of spike retaining apertures 21, each ofthe spike retaining apertures 21 providing an aligning slot 22 thataccommodates the aligning notch 14 of the spike 10 to prevent rotationand unintended removal of the spike 10 in and from the spike aperture21. Additionally, the alignment of the spikes 10 via the aligning notch14 of the spike 10 and the aligning slot 22 of the spike holder 20aligns the pin apertures 19 in the spikes 10. The spikes 10 are retainedin the spike holder 20 by a retaining pin 30 that is inserted throughthe aperture 23 in the spike base 20 as well as the pin apertures 19 inthe spikes 10.

The spike holder 20 further comprises a pair of circular knobs 24. Asassembled, the circular knobs 24 are inserted through the largeapertures 48 in the sides 46 of the base 40. When the retaining pin 30is inserted through the pin aperture 23 in the spike base 20 and the pinapertures 19 in the spikes 10, the spikes 10 and the spike base 20 arepermitted to rotate approximately 90 degrees about the axis created bythe retaining pin 30 from a first collapsed position wherein the spikes10 lay relatively parallel to the bottom 41 of the base 40 and areenclosed by the sides 46 of the base and a second upright positionwherein the spikes 10 and spike base 20 are at an angle of approximately90 degrees relative to the base 40.

The bottom 26 of the spike base 20 contains a cam 29, a recess 27 and acatch 28. As the spikes 10 and spike holder 20 are rotated open, the cam29 presses the flap 51 downwardly such that the ridge 54 of the flap 51clears the catch 28 on the spike base 20. When the spikes 10 and spikebase 20 are fully in position, the ridge 54 of the flap 52 resilientlysnaps into the recess 27 in the spike base 20. When the ridge 54 of theflap 51 is pressed into the recess 27 of the spike base 20, the spikes10 are locked in their full upright position. The back 27 of the spikebase 20 also includes a notch 26, the purpose of which will become moreapparent later in this detailed description.

When the spikes 10 are in the collapsed position, it is advantageous toprovide a cover 60. The cover 60 has a first end 61 and a second end 62,the first end 61 of the cover 60 having a plurality of hinges 67, thehinges 67 having apertures 63 therethrough. The cover 60 is attached tothe base 40 via a pin 68 inserted through the small aperture 47 in theside 46 of the base 40, and through the aperture 63 in the hinges 67. Itis advantageous to provide a secure means of closing the cover 10 overthe spikes 60 to prevent inadvertent injury caused by contact with thespikes 10. As such, a preferred embodiment of the present inventionprovides for the cover 60 having a latch 65 including a catch 66, thecatch 66, when closed, snapping over the notch in the spike holder 20.The latch 65 is provided some flexibility with respect to the cover 60by gussets 64 in the cover 60.

When the cover 60 is open, the cover 60 is used to anchor the staticstop device 1 under a car tire such that when the vehicle tire movesforward, it moves onto the cover 60 such that the vehicle anchors thecover 60 and base as the spike or spikes 10 pierce the tire. As such,the cover 60 should be long enough such that when it is open and thespikes 10 are in the upright position, the combined length of the cover60 and the base 40 should be sufficient to place the second end 62 ofthe cover 60 under a vehicle tire such that the top 17 of the tire spike10 is in contact with the vehicle tire.

When a vehicle tire comes into contact with the spike 10, the vehicleweight and tire resistance against penetration, and then againstremoval, is designed to cause the spike 10 to break away from the staticstop device 1. In particular, the retaining pin 30 is engineered to bethe most likely item to break, thereby releasing the spikes 10 into thetire. However, it is not essential that the spikes 10 break off thestatic stop 1 in order for the spikes 10 to deflate a vehicle tire.

An additional embodiment of the invention may provide for a magnet 75attached to one or both of the sides 46 of the base 40. The person, orofficer using the invention would then be equipped with a wand or otherdevice having either an additional magnet or ferrous material at one endand a handle at the other. Such a device could be used to place theinvention either in front of or behind the tire of a vehicle, withoutthe potential distraction caused to the officer when the officer bendsdown.

Accordingly, it will be seen that there has been provided a new, usefuland nonobvious tire-puncturing spike and retainer assembly that can beplaced in front of or behind at least one tire of a stationary vehicle;that is small and relatively compact, preferably “pocket-sized” inphysical dimension; that requires only a minimal number of elements ofconstruction, that is easy to use, and that allows for less conspicuousplacement in comparison to similar assemblies of current availability.

1. A static tire puncturing and deflating assembly comprising: a basehaving a first end and a second end; a spike holder attached to thefirst end of the base, the spike holder being permitted to rotate from afirst closed position generally parallel to the base and a second tirepuncturing position at an acute angle to the base; and a plurality ofspikes attached to the spike holder.
 2. The static tire puncturing anddeflating assembly of claim 1 wherein the spike holder further comprisesa plurality of spike retaining apertures and an aperture therethroughand each of the plurality of spikes has a spike base, the spike basehaving an aperture therethrough, and a retaining pin that is insertedthrough the apertures in the spike holder to retain the spikes withinthe spike retaining apertures and to attach the spike holder to thebase.
 3. The static tire puncturing and deflating assembly of claim 2wherein at least the first end of the base further comprises a pair ofsides such that the retaining pin is further operable to secure thespike holder to the base.
 4. The static tire puncturing and deflatingassembly of claim 1 further comprising a cover, the cover being attachedvia a hinge to the second end of the base such that when the spikeholder is in the first closed position generally parallel to the basethe cover can be folded over the plurality of spikes and the spikeholder.
 5. The static tire puncturing and deflating assembly of claim 4wherein the cover further comprises a catch mechanism that is removablysecurable to the spike holder.
 6. The static tire puncturing anddeflating assembly of claim 1 wherein the first end of the base furthercomprises a pair of gussets that create a flap capable of flexingslightly with respect to the base; the flap further comprising a pair ofridges, the ridges of the flap being operable to resiliently snap into arecess in the bottom of the spike holder when the spike holder isrotated to its second tire puncturing position.
 7. The static tirepuncturing and deflating assembly of claim 6 wherein the bottom of thespike holder comprises a cam, the cam being operable to press therectangular ridges on the flap outwardly such that when fully open, therectangular ridges on the flap snap into the bottom of the spike holder.8. The static tire puncturing and deflating assembly of claim 7 whereinthe spike holder is permitted to move from the second tire puncturingposition to the first closed position when the flap is presseddownwardly to release the ridges in the flap from the bottom of thespike holder.
 9. The static tire puncturing and deflating assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the base further comprises a magnet, the magnet beingoperable to permit the person using the tire puncturing device to employa wand, or other reaching device with a magnet, to place the tirepuncturing device without having to bend over.
 10. A static tirepuncturing and deflating assembly comprising: a base having a first endand a second end, wherein the first end of the base further comprises apair of gussets that create a flap capable of flexing slightly withrespect to the base, the flap further comprising a pair of rectangularridges; a retaining pin; a plurality of spikes attached to the spikeholder, each of the plurality of spikes having a spike base, the spikebase having an aperture therethrough; and a spike holder having aplurality of spike retaining apertures and an aperture therethroughattached to the first end of the base, the spike holder being permittedto rotate about the retaining pin from a first closed position generallyparallel to the base and a second tire puncturing position at an acuteangle to the base wherein the ridges of the flap are operable toresiliently snap into a recess in the bottom of the spike holder, theretaining pin being inserted through the apertures in the spike holderto retain the spikes within the spike retaining apertures.
 11. Thestatic tire puncturing and deflating assembly of claim 10 wherein thebottom of the spike holder comprises a cam, the cam being operable topress the rectangular ridges on the flap outwardly such that when fullyopen, the rectangular ridges on the flap snap into the bottom of thespike holder.
 12. The static tire puncturing and deflating assembly ofclaim 11 wherein the spike holder is permitted to move from the secondtire puncturing position to the first closed position when the flap ispressed downwardly to release the ridges in the flap from the bottom ofthe spike holder.
 13. The static tire puncturing and deflating assemblyof claim 12 wherein the base further comprises a magnet and the magnetbeing operable to permit the person using the tire puncturing device toemploy a wand, or other reaching device with a magnet, to place the tirepuncturing device without having to bend over.
 14. The static tirepuncturing and deflating assembly of claim 10 further comprising acover, the cover being attached via a hinge to the second end of thebase such that when the spike holder is in the first closed positiongenerally parallel to the base the cover can be folded over theplurality of spikes and the spike holder.
 15. The tire puncturing deviceof claim 14 wherein the cover further comprises a catch mechanism thatis removably securable to the spike holder.